The Republican National Committee this week said it never offered Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele "a specific role" at the committee after his unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Many conservatives were surprised this week when, after reports that some leading Republicans favored Mr. Steele to succeed Ken Mehlman as chairman of the RNC, the White House leaked word to news agencies that President Bush would back Florida Sen. Mel Martinez for the top post at the committee.

The Washington Times reported Nov. 10 that Mr. Mehlman would not seek a second two-year term as RNC chairman in January and that Mr. Steele had been offered a Cabinet or top RNC post in recognition of his hard-fought Senate campaign that ended in defeat on Nov. 7.

The Times on Wednesday asked the White House, the RNC and Mr. Steele whether, as the paper also had reported, anyone from the administration or RNC had told Mr. Steele or any of his aides that he was not a "team player" because he had talked to The Times about the jobs in question and that those jobs could be withheld in retaliation.

RNC spokeswoman Tracy Schmidt on Wednesday declined to respond to the questions.

But an RNC official who insisted on anonymity said, "Ken Mehlman is a big fan and believer in Michael Steele, but at no point did he approach him about the specific role of RNC chairman."

It's like that scene in Trading Places.

"I would never let a nigger run our family firm, would you?"

"Of course not"

Well, after Congressman Putnam's redneck rant, only a moron like soon to be ex-lieutenant governor Michael Steele would think they would let him represent their party.

Last week, on the Colbert Report, Tim Meadows went around Harlem asking people about the GOP. He asked one guy

"Would you consider voting Repbulican?"

"No"

"Why?"

"Because I'm black."

Take the hint. You pissed off a lot of brothers by insulting their intelligence with those flyers. And them white folks ain't gonna know who you are soon enough.